Helen "Virginia" Wellendorf's Obituary
Helen Virginia Wellendorf, a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister, went home to be with the Lord on July 21, 2021, at the age of 96. Virginia was born on May 18, 1925, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, to George T. and Hazel Miller. She graduated from Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City. After high school she worked in Oklahoma City as a secretary for an insurance company.
Virginia met the love of her life, Ted Wellendorf, at a USO dance in Oklahoma City and they became engaged before he shipped out to serve in the Pacific during World War II. As soon as he returned, they married and boarded a train to Youngstown, Ohio, where she met his family for the first time.
They returned to live in Oklahoma City where Virginia supported her husband while he studied for his accounting degree under the GI Bill at the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, the family moved to Tulsa where Ted worked for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company as an accountant. In Tulsa, they raised two sons and Virginia became a full-time homemaker.
A dedicated mother to her two sons, Glen and Don, Virginia always put family first calling her children and grandchildren her greatest source of happiness. Virginia enjoyed cooking (she was a great cook), knitting and decorating her home. She and Ted enjoyed playing bridge and were part of the neighborhood bridge club.
The family enjoyed many vacation trips and other activities together during those years. They were also active in First Lutheran Church, making friends and attending services regularly. As the boys grew, Virginia could do more outside the home. Being an avid bowler, she worked part-time for Yale Bowl in Tulsa organizing the women’s daytime bowling leagues and was able to accompany Ted on some business trips. They also enjoyed playing golf together.
Later in life, after the boys graduated from OSU and established their own families, Virginia and Ted moved to the Inverness Village retirement community where they lived their final years. Virginia was a committed Christian who loved the Lord. She was a member of Asbury Methodist Church in Tulsa.
Virginia and Ted were married 69 years before his death in 2015. They were wonderful parents and terrific examples of the greatest generation.
Virginia is survived by her son and spouse, Glen and Pat Wellendorf; son and spouse, Don and Susie Wellendorf; sister, Geri Adams; granddaughter and spouse, Rebekah and Rich Roberts; grandson and spouse, Matthew and Ashley Wellendorf; granddaughter, Elizabeth Wellendorf; granddaughter and spouse, Cassie and Alex McGavock; granddaughter and spouse, Rachel Wellendorf and Nathaniel Perkowski; grandson, David Wellendorf; Cassie’s, Rachel’s and David’s mother, Sabrina Wellendorf; and 10 great grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday, July 26, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Floral Haven Funeral Home with a private graveside service to follow. Memories also can be shared at www.floralhaven.com.
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